Pamela Nolan (4th from left) of Le Cheile FRC presenting knitting to Margaret Barry (7th from left) of Homeless Help and Support, to be distributed to homeless people in Cork city. Also pictured are members of North Cork knitters who have spent the past seven weeks kniting hats, scarves and gloves for the homeless. Photo, S. Murphy.
A special presentation to Homeless Help and Support Charity was held on Monday last in the Mercy Centre, where Pamela Nolan of Le Chéile presented gloves, scarves and caps to Margaret Barry of the Homeless Help and Support Charity in Cork city. North Cork Knitters was set up by Mallow Community Health Project in January 2021, and has been involved in some amazing pieces of work in the last 2 years in relation to meeting the needs in the Mallow community. In the past few months, North Cork Knitters members have busied themselves with knitting hats, scarves and gloves for the clients who are supported by Homeless Help and Support.
North Cork Knitters are a unique group, in that they meet on a Monday night, via Zoom, and knit and chat for an hour. Members come from Mitchelstown, Glanmire, Carraig na bFhear, Grenagh and Bridhaven Nursing Home, knitting with women in Mallow and the surrounding areas. The knitters are facilitated by Mary Allen, who steers them through their patterns, and gives advice and support to the less gifted knitters in the group.
In early November, Mallow Community Health Worker Pauline O’Grady-Noonan invited Deirdre Barry, Director and Company Secretary of Homeless Help and Support, onto the Knitters’ Zoom. Deirdre informed the knitters about how the charity was formed by local volunteers Tadgh and Bob McMahon, and how it has gone from strength to strength due to the amazing and tireless work of their volunteers.
Well done to North Cork Knitters on their wonderful work in knitting so many gloves, scarves and caps which will be welcomed by those who are less fortunate, particularly at this cold time of year.